This week’s Spotlight on Bookstores is brought to us by Jason Barger, Author of Step Back from the Baggage Claim: Change the World, Start at the Airport. His book uses a unique and memorable metaphor – with air travel as the basis – to suggest several ways we might improve not only our own outlook on life, but also lend a compassionate attitude to those around us. My review of Step Back from the Baggage Claim is here; Jason has held readings/signings at bookstores and airports. In this essay he tells us about The Book Loft of German Village, an independent bookstore near him … it sounds and looks charming; a fun place to practice some of the ideas put forth in Step Back!
Do you enjoy using the term “nooks and crannies” in everyday conversation? Do you like the feeling of a warm sweater on a winter day? Do you fashion yourself as an Independent Bookstore connoisseur?
If you answered yes to at least two of those questions, than I undoubtedly have just the place for you. Nestled in the hip “German Village” of downtown Columbus, Ohio is a bookstore for the eclectic book lover. The Book Loft is one of the nation’s largest Independent bookstores and showcases its beauty with a long brick walkway, a serene courtyard referred to as a “restful oasis”, and 32 rooms housing over 100,000 books.
This is not your typical bookstore. If books are your thing, entering The Book Loft is like finding a magical fantasy land of seemingly endless treasures. Within minutes, you are swept into the long corridors, quick passageways, and staircases leading you deeper into the literary maze.
Whereas it is not the spot for the ADD challenged or quick-fix junkie, The Book Loft is a charming escape into a world of perpetual thought. It is a fabulous spot for a half-day retreat for someone seeking a slower pace and meandering browse. Fittingly, it is surrounded by great coffee shops.
If you’re traveling through Columbus, enjoy the Independent vibe, or just want to find your own “nook and cranny”, swing by The Book Loft. Happy hunting.
I’ve been to this bookstore! My parents live in Columbus and we were fortunate to visit The Book Loft on one of our visits to see them. I had a wonderful time! Afterward, we went to this delicious German place and had sauerkraut balls (trust me…they are delicious!).
I adore your spotlights, and even better when they are brought to you by authors! What a charming place. I think every time I read one of these posts, it just reminds me how brain dead Orlando really is!
I’ve also visited here. A few years ago my mom and I met in German Village for the weekend and had so much fun exploring the many rooms and hallways of this bookstore. Nooks and crannies is the perfect description of this unique store and its layout. Ever wish you could get lost in a bookstore? It’s possible here.
This looks like a beautiful place to hang out in. Thanks for the feature!
OK, I’m ready to find my own little nook and cranny. My dream is to open a bookstore someday. Wouldn’t that be cool?? I could spend an entire vacation just sitting in a bookstore. My family would balk, well maybe not the little one as she adores books but it probably wouldn’t go over too well with the others.
I used to love the book loft, when I was in school in Cols. I haven’t been there in years, unfortunately.
Very cool! I live near Columbus. . .I’ll have to check this out next time I’m there.
I think I could spend hours there!
How fun it would be to just spend a half a day here getting lost in books. Nicely written piece.
I used to live in Columbus and my husband and I loved visiting The Book Loft! It’s such a wonderful bookstore that you can spend hours in. Whenever we stop for a visit in Columbus we always try to work in a visit to this wonderful bookstore.
This sounds like a great store. I had hoped to visit an indie bookstore on our trip, but didn’t have time.
I’ve been to that bookstore several times! Some of my husband’s family lives in Columbus. It is just a great place to explore, with so many nooks & crannies.
I have visited Columbus briefly, but not gotten to stop into that store. I will have to make it a point to visit the next time I am there.
This will be first on my list of stops if I ever take a trip to Columbus. I love nooks and crannies. I could get lost in those aisles.
Was there this past weekend. Simple the best bookstore I have ever seen. The pictures don’t do it justice. It’s like trying to describe a roller coaster ride. You need to experience it to truly appreciate it. I loved the small rooms that were off of other small rooms that you might never find if you looked at the map. Plus you would find unique music related to the type of books in many of the rooms. This is not a single walkway with rooms to the left and right. This is a corn field maze of rooms in an old building with creaky floors and the smell of wood everywhere, and to the left and right there may be dead-ends hallways or stairs or alleys with nooks and crannies or who knows what. But whatever it was, it was fun It was perfect in every way. A true book lovers paradise.